Westfield FFA Cup wrap

Thirty two teams that took part in the Westfield FFA Cup became 16 this week, including a number of surprising round four knock-outs.

ECU Joondalup were one of the teams who progressed to round five, with a 3-0 win against State League Division Two side Morley Windmills at ECU Football Stadium on Monday.

ECU coach Dale McCulloch was glad to be through to the next round after being knocked out at the same stage last season by State League Division One club Dianella White Eagles.

“It’s always a tough game when you come against lower league opposition, so we’re just happy to be in the next round,” he said.

“We dominated in the first 20 minutes and really should have been four or five up, but the longer the game went at 1-0 they started to get back in the game and they finished the first half well.

Morley coach John Castrilli was left to rue a couple of missed opportunities but was pleased with his side’s performance.

“I thought we pressed them well and it’s good for our development as we look for promotion from the second division.”

The home side had the perfect opportunity when Gordon Smith was awarded a penalty, only to be denied by Morley’s Yousri Gharsallah making the save.

ECU hit the lead on 13 minutes as a Shane Pickering header wasn’t dealt with, but Smith was quickest to react and fired home from close-range.

Morley ended the first half well but ECU made the perfect start to the second half and doubled their advantage two minutes in. A short corner from Sam Pollard found Tommy Amphlett who cut inside the box and struck the ball into the top corner.

ECU added a third just after the hour mark when a long throw by keeper Fraser Greenwood sent Smith clear on goal, putting the game beyond doubt.

In other FFA Cup action this weekend, Wembley Downs beat NPLWA club Stirling Lions 2-0 in the upset of the round at Butler Reserve on Monday.

State League Division Two club Gwelup Croatia also progressed with a close 2-1 win at home to NPLWA side Balcatta, while State League Division One UWA-Nedlands knocked out Subiaco 4-3.